U.S. patent number 7,887,522 [Application Number 11/083,606] was granted by the patent office on 2011-02-15 for pull-on wearable article with informational image.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Procter and Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Melanie D. Allen, Kathleen Quinlan Ames-Ooten, Mark John Ciesko, Barry Robert Feist, Eiro Fukuda, George Bartol Glackin, Donald Carroll Roe.
United States Patent |
7,887,522 |
Roe , et al. |
February 15, 2011 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Pull-on wearable article with informational image
Abstract
A pull-on wearable article includes a main portion including an
outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a rear
waist region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting
the front and rear waist regions. First and second extendable side
panels extend between and connect the main portion front waist
region and the main portion rear waist region to form the article
in a closed waist configuration, at least a portion of each side
panel being extendable between a relaxed state and an extended
state. The article defines first and second side regions, each side
region including one of the first and second side panels and a
transverse region of the main portion bordering the respective side
panel. An informational image is disposed in at least the first
side region. The article may further include a texture feature
formed in an outer surface of the article and positioned proximate
to the informational image to form a composite image. Alternatively
or additionally, the image includes a cognitively functional
graphic.
Inventors: |
Roe; Donald Carroll (West
Chester Township, OH), Allen; Melanie D. (Newport, KY),
Ames-Ooten; Kathleen Quinlan (Cincinnati, OH), Ciesko; Mark
John (Cincinnati, OH), Feist; Barry Robert (Madeira,
OH), Fukuda; Eiro (Mason, OH), Glackin; George Bartol
(Wyoming, OH) |
Assignee: |
The Procter and Gamble Company
(Cincinnati, OH)
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Family
ID: |
37011350 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/083,606 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060212010 A1 |
Sep 21, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.01;
604/387; 604/385.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
13/496 (20130101); A61F 13/49017 (20130101); A61F
13/51496 (20130101); A61F 13/565 (20130101); A61F
13/84 (20130101); A61F 13/68 (20130101); A61F
13/72 (20130101); A61F 2013/8497 (20130101); A61F
2013/425 (20130101); A61F 2013/5677 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
13/15 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;604/385.01,385.3,387 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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Other References
PCT Search Report, mailed Oct. 3, 2006. cited by other .
PCT Search Report and Written Opinion, PCT/US2006/009302, mailed
Aug. 23, 2006, 13 pages. cited by other .
PCT Search Report and Written Opinion, PCT/US2006/019580, mailed
Nov. 6, 2006, 17 pages. cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/372,449, filed Mar. 9, 2006, Klemp. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Stephens; Jacqueline F
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Foust; Amy M. Alexander; Richard L.
Addington; Eric T.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pull-on wearable article comprising: a main portion including
an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a
rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between and
connecting the front and rear waist regions; first and second
extendable side panels extending between and connecting the main
portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region
to form the article in a closed waist configuration, each side
panel comprising a pre-stretch laminate and at least a portion of
each side panel being extendable between a relaxed state and an
extended state; an informational image disposed entirely in the
first side panel; and a texture feature formed in an outer surface
of the article and positioned proximate to the informational image
to form a composite image; wherein the composite image is
positioned such that a vertical pulling force applied to the
composite image is distributed to the rear waist region, whereby
grasping and pulling the composite image facilitates pulling the
pull-on wearable article over a wearer's hips and buttocks.
2. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the texture
feature is positioned at least partially coincident with the
informational image thereby to enhance the informational image.
3. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the texture
feature forms a part of the composite image that is separate from
the informational image.
4. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the texture
feature is applied by a mechanical treatment.
5. The pull-on wearable article of claim 4, in which the mechanical
treatment is selected from one of a group of mechanical treatments
comprising ring rolling, pre-stretching, embossing, and
slitting.
6. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the texture
feature comprises projections formed in the outer surface.
7. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the texture
feature comprises recesses formed in the outer surface.
8. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the texture
feature comprises smooth regions formed in the outer surface.
9. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the texture
feature is located at a single, discrete texture area.
10. The pull-on wearable article of claim 9, in which the discrete
texture area comprises a shape selected from a group of shapes
comprising a circle, an ellipse, a geometric figure, a line, and an
arc.
11. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the texture
feature is located at a plurality of discrete texture areas.
12. The pull-on wearable article of claim 11, in which the
plurality of discrete texture areas are arranged in a pattern.
13. The pull-on wearable article of claim 12, in which each
discrete texture area in the plurality of discrete texture areas
comprises a shape selected from a group of shapes consisting of a
circle, an ellipse, a geometric figure, a line, and an arc.
14. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the outer
surface is defined by an exterior layer of material, in which an
interior layer of material is bonded to the exterior layer of
material at discrete locations to form recesses in the outer
surface.
15. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the outer
surface is defined by an exterior layer of material and portions of
an interior layer of material abutting the exterior layer, wherein
the exterior layer includes openings and portions of the interior
layer are exposed through the openings.
16. The pull-on wearable article of claim 1, in which the
informational image communicates a location in which to grip the
article as the article is pulled into place on a user.
17. The pull-on wearable article of claim 16, in which the
informational image comprises a hand graphic.
18. A pull-on wearable article comprising: a main portion including
an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a
rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between and
connecting the front and rear waist regions; first and second
extendable side panels extending between and connecting the main
portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region
to form the article in a closed waist configuration, each side
panel comprising a pre-stretch laminate and at least a portion of
each side panel being extendable between a relaxed state and an
extended state; and an informational image disposed entirely in the
first side panel, wherein the informational image comprises a
cognitively functional graphic, and wherein the informational image
is positioned such that a vertical pulling force applied to the
informational image is distributed to the rear waist region,
whereby grasping and pulling the composite image facilitates
pulling the pull-on wearable article over a wearer's hips and
buttocks.
19. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the
informational image includes an anthropomorphic image.
20. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the
informational image comprises a directionality icon.
21. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the
cognitively functional graphic communicates a pulling location in
which to grip the article.
22. The pull-on wearable article of claim 21, in which the
informational image comprises a hand graphic.
23. The pull-on wearable article of claim 22, in which the hand
graphic has size dimensions substantially corresponding to at least
a portion of a child's hand.
24. The pull-on wearable article of claim 23, in which the hand
graphic has a lateral size dimension of approximately 1 to
approximately 10 centimeters and a longitudinal size dimension of
approximately 1 to approximately 5 centimeters.
25. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the
cognitively functional graphic communicates suitability for use by
a particular gender.
26. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the
cognitively functional graphic communicates suitability for
training applications.
27. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the
informational image comprises a printed image.
28. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the main
portion further includes a liquid permeable topsheet and an
absorbent core disposed between the outer cover and the topsheet to
form an absorbent wearable article.
29. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the
informational image is associated with the side region with the
side panel in the relaxed state.
30. The pull-on wearable article of claim 18, in which the
informational image comprises a distorted informational image, and
in which the distorted informational image is associated with the
side panel in an extended state.
31. A pull-on wearable article comprising: a main portion including
at least an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist
region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between
and connecting the front and rear waist regions; a pair of
extendable side panels extending between and connecting the main
portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region
to form the article in a closed waist configuration, each side
panel comprising a pre-stretch laminate and at least a portion of
each side panel being extendable between a contracted state and an
extended state; the main portion including transverse regions
bordering on the side panels, the transverse regions defined by
size and orientation of an overlapping portion of the side panels
and the main portion; and an informational image disposed entirely
in one of the side panels, including the bordering transverse
region, wherein the informational image is positioned such that a
vertical pulling force applied to the informational image is
distributed to the back waist region, whereby grasping and pulling
the composite image facilitates pulling the pull-on wearable
article over a wearer's hips and buttocks.
32. The pull-on wearable article of claim 31, in which the at least
one transverse region includes a projection extending into the side
panel, and in which the informational image is disposed on at least
a portion of the projection.
33. The pull-on wearable article of claim 32, in which the
projection comprises a film layer of the outer cover.
34. The pull-on wearable article of claim 31, in which the
informational image is disposed on the outer cover.
35. The pull-on wearable article of claim 31, in which the main
portion transverse regions include first and second front
transverse regions, each front transverse region located adjacent a
front side of a respective side panel, and first and second rear
transverse regions, each rear transverse region located adjacent a
rear side of a respective side panel.
36. The pull-on wearable article of claim 35, in which the
informational image is disposed in the first front transverse
region.
37. The pull-on wearable article of claim 36, further comprising a
second informational image disposed in the second front transverse
region.
38. The pull-on wearable article of claim 37, in which the
informational image is disposed in the first rear transverse
region.
39. The pull-on wearable article of claim 38, further comprising a
second informational image disposed in the second rear transverse
region.
40. The pull-on wearable article of claim 31, in which the
informational image communicates a location in which to grip the
article as the article is pulled into place on a user.
41. The pull-on wearable article of claim 40, in which the
informational image comprises a hand graphic.
42. The pull-on wearable article of claim 31, in which at least one
side panel comprises first and second side panel portions, and in
which the first side panel portion is releasably fastenable to the
second side panel portion.
43. The pull-on wearable article of claim 31, in which the
informational image is disposed on an exterior surface of the
article.
44. The pull-on wearable article of claim 43, in which the exterior
surface comprises a layer of non-woven material.
45. The pull-on wearable article of claim 31, in which the
informational image is disposed on an interior layer having an
exterior surface visible through an exterior layer of the article.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to pull-on wearable articles, such
as disposable, absorbent pull-on diapers and the like. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to visual features for
initiating a cognitive response by a user of such articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Wearable articles, such as absorbent, disposable diapers for
infants and small children and adult incontinence products, have
long been known in the art. These articles are designed to absorb
and contain body exudates such as urine and fecal matter. Ideally
these products fit snugly and prevent leakage of exudates.
Typically, conventional diaper products for infants and small
children have included a front waist portion, and a rear waist
portion which are releasably connected about the hips of the user
during use by fasteners such as adhesive tape fasteners or hook and
loop type fasteners. Commonly such diapers are applied by laying
the baby on its back, positioning the diaper between the baby's
legs and fastening the fasteners about the waist.
More recently, there have been several prior art disposable
absorbent articles of the "pull-on" or "pants" type. These articles
are typically placed on a user in a closed waist configuration, and
therefore are designed to be pulled up over the hips and buttocks
of the user into position around the waist and between the legs.
Ideally, application would be substantially accomplished by the
child, however these articles are typically applied at least
partially by the caregiver due to the difficulty involved. A
caregiver will often perform or assist in one or more of the
following actions: (1) threading the user's legs through leg holes
in the article; (2) pulling the article over the user's hips and
buttocks; and (3) correcting or adjusting the fit of the article
once it is in position. Typically, such pull-on articles have a
stretchable portion, such as a stretchable side panel which expands
to allow the article to be pulled over the hips and then
elastically retracts to provide a conforming fit of the article. A
variation of the pull-on articles includes refastenable seamed
areas, such as refastenable side seams. While these alternative
articles may be opened by unfastening the seams, they are typically
intended to be applied to a user while in the closed configuration,
and therefore include a stretchable portion as noted above.
Pull-on absorbent articles are often intended for use by children
as they transition from wearing conventional diapers to underwear.
As children grow and develop, they achieve the capability to dress
themselves. Young children and babies, especially once they begin
walking, commonly wear pull-on diapers and/or training pants, which
are typically easier for a user to apply and remove in a standing
position, and therefore emulate underwear.
It is desirable for pull-on diapers and training pants to
facilitate the overall dressing learning process by making it
easier for the child to successfully apply a pull-on product. Due
to physiological, psychological, or other factors, most children,
particularly in the 12-30 month age range, are naturally inclined
to grab the most easily visible and accessible portion of the
pull-on product, which is the front waist region. Because the
pull-on article must be pulled over the buttocks and hips, the
tendency to pull at the front of the product often leads to failure
and frustration because this action increases the circumferential
tension in the back of the diaper, causing it to lodge tightly at
the bottom of the buttocks. Further, no vertical tension is applied
to the area that could dislodge the article, which is the back
waist region of the article. Accordingly, it is more advantageous
for the child to grasp and pull the product from the sides, thereby
distributing vertical pulling force to both the front and back
regions.
It is advantageous, therefore, to provide a pull-on article that
encourages grasping at the sides during use. U.S. Pat. No.
6,702,795 to Klemp proposes a disposable absorbent article with
stretchable side waist regions marked with decorative or
instructional printing. The side waist regions have a contracted
configuration but are stretchable to an extended configuration.
Klemp discloses that decorative or instructional printing is
applied to the side waist regions such that the printing is most
observable in the extended configuration (i.e., when worn on the
waist) but is less observable and unobscured in the contracted
configuration (i.e., when not worn on the waist). The printing
disclosed in Klemp, however, may be especially difficult to see in
certain conditions commonly encountered in the application
process--e.g., low or uneven lighting conditions, poor viewing
angle (such as at a shallow angle of a wearer looking down at their
hips/legs, etc.). Furthermore, Klemp generally discloses
"decorative or instructional printing" and specifically shows words
printed on the article. A pre-literate child, however, would not
understand such printing, nor does it appear the printing instructs
a user how to perform an activity or task with the article.
Consequently, a need exists for a pull-on wearable article that
includes a clear and distinct image for suitably instructing a
child in the use of the article. In particular, there is a need for
an article to quickly and unerringly convey visual messages,
instructions, or cues in a manner that is understandable to and
responsive by a pre-literate child.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pull-on wearable article
according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a
pull-on wearable article having a releasable fastener.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 2 with a
fastener released.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a
pull-on wearable article having a releasable fastener.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the article of FIG. 4 with a
fastener released.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pull-on wearable article of FIG. 1
laid flat in an open configuration.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a
pull-on article having an auxiliary layer with an informational
image disposed thereon.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pull-on article similar to that
of FIG. 1 showing an alternative informational image location.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pull-on article similar to that
of FIG. 1 showing an alternative informational image location.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pull-on article similar to that
of FIG. 1 showing an alternative informational image location.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pull-on article similar to that
of FIG. 1 showing an alternative informational image comprising a
plurality of icons.
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of an article
having a texture feature on an exterior surface.
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of an article
having an alternative embodiment of a texture feature on an
exterior surface.
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of an article
having an alternative embodiment of a texture feature on an
exterior surface.
FIGS. 15A and 15B are plan views of an informational image applied
to a zero-strain laminate in the relaxed and extended states,
respectively.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are plan views of an informational image applied
to an elastomeric film in the relaxed and extended states,
respectively.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are plan views of an informational image applied
to a pre-stretch laminate in the relaxed and extended states,
respectively.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan view of part of an article having a
main portion with a projection on which the informational image is
disposed.
FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of part of an article having a
side panel with a projection on which the informational image is
disposed.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged plan view of part of an article having an
informational image spanning a seam of a side panel.
FIG. 21 is an enlarged plan view of an alternative informational
image spanning a seam of a side panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As used herein, the phrase "wearable article" refers to an article
configured such that it has a waist opening and a pair of leg
openings. This configuration may be permanent as in the case of
conventional underwear, or may be temporary as in the case of a
training pant with openable seams for removal. Additionally,
pull-on articles can be constructed with refastenable features
allowing the article to have both a closed pant-like configuration
and one or more configurations which are open or not pant like.
Wearable articles include durable and disposable absorbent
articles, such as disposable diapers, as well as partially or
non-absorbent articles such as training pants or disposable pull-on
diapers.
As used herein, the phrase "pull-on application" refers to the
method of placing an article with a closed configuration on a
user's waist region by threading the user's legs through the waist
opening and pulling the article along the legs and over the hips
and buttocks. The article may be permanently in the closed
configuration or may be capable of being placed in an open
configuration but intended to be applied while in a closed
configuration.
As used herein, the phrase "absorbent article" refers to devices
that absorb and contain liquid, and more specifically, refers to
devices that are placed against or in proximity to the body of the
user to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the
body.
A "unitary" absorbent article refers to absorbent articles which
are formed of separate parts united together to form a coordinated
entity so that they do not require separate manipulative parts like
a separate holder and liner.
As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article
generally worn by infants and incontinent persons about the lower
torso.
As used herein, the term "disposable" describes absorbent articles
that generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwise
restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended
to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled,
composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible
manner).
As used herein, the term "longitudinal" is a direction running
parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article and
includes directions within .+-.45.degree. of the longitudinal
direction. The terms "lateral" or "transverse" indicate a direction
that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The "Z-direction"
is orthogonal to both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The
"x-y plane" refers to the plane congruent with the longitudinal and
transverse directions.
The term "disposed" is used herein to mean that an element(s) is
formed (joined and positioned) in a particular place or position as
a unitary structure with other elements or as a separate element
joined to another element.
As used herein, the term "joined" encompasses configurations
whereby an element is directly secured to another element by
affixing the element directly to the other element, and
configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another
element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in
turn are affixed to the other element.
As used herein the term "refastenable" refers to the attachment of
two or more elements or portions of elements together in a manner
in which they can be separated and re-attached successively without
substantial degradation of fastener performance or damage to
surrounding components of the article which would impair its
continued use. It will be appreciated that a refastenable component
need not have an infinite life span, but it is sufficient that the
components attached in a refastenable manner can be separated and
re-attached successively several times over the typical use life
span of the article. It will also be appreciated that the
aggressiveness of actual fastening or tack may be reduced
significantly from fastening to refastening in absolute terms, but
that such reduction is not "substantial degradation" of fastener
performance if the resulting refastened strength is sufficient for
its purpose of use in a disposable absorbent article.
As used herein, the term "impermeable" generally refers to articles
and/or elements that are not penetrative by fluid through the
entire Z-directional thickness of the article under pressure of
0.14 lb/in.sup.2 or less. The impermeable article or element also
may not be penetrative by fluid under pressures of 0.5 lb/in.sup.2
or less. The impermeable article or element may also not be
penetrative by fluid under pressures of 1.0 lb/in.sup.2 or
less.
As used herein, the term "adhesive" or "typical adhesive" are
interchangeable and refer to a material which demonstrates
connection when applied to another material generally (e.g.
material is not specially selected). Adhesive materials connect to
other materials generally and no particularly selected properties
of the other material are necessary for such tack to be
demonstrated. Generally, typical adhesive materials used in
disposable absorbent articles demonstrate such tack either at
certain temperatures (such as a hot melt adhesive) or under
pressure (a pressure sensitive adhesive).
As used herein the term "extensible" refers to materials which
elongate or increase in at least one dimension when subject to an
external pulling force.
As used herein the terms "elastic" or "stretchable" are intended to
be interchangeable and refer to materials which are extensible and
which also return to substantially their original dimensions when
the external pulling force is removed.
As used herein the term "extendable" refers to materials which are
extensible and which are preferably at least partially elastic.
As used herein, the term "legible" refers to an image, or an image
in a particular state, that is sufficiently clear, distinct, and
unambiguous so that it is capable of being rapidly and/or easily
read or deciphered.
Pull-on wearable articles are disclosed herein having extendable
side panels and an informational image. The informational image may
be legible regardless of the state of the side panels (i.e.,
regardless whether the side panels are in a relaxed state, an
extended state, or between relaxed and extended states). In one
embodiment, the informational image includes an attention
attracting graphic that triggers a cognitive response in a
pre-literate child or other user to grasp the article in the
vicinity of the image. The article may further include a texture
feature which, together with the informational image, forms a
composite image. The texture feature may form a part of the
composite image that is separate from the informational image or
may be coincident with the informational image to enhance its
appearance, such as by imparting a layered, three-dimensional, or
other visual effect to enhance the image. Furthermore, the image
may include a cognitively functional graphic that communicates to
the user instructions or other information regarding the article.
While the embodiments presented in this application are described
and illustrated as absorbent articles such as disposable pull-on
diapers or training pants, it will be appreciated that this
disclosure is not so limited but instead includes any pull-on
wearable article, as defined herein.
Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary pull-on wearable article 1 is
illustrated having a closed construction. The article 1 includes a
main portion 2 and first and second side panels 4 and 6. The main
portion 2 and side panels 4, 6 generally define a waist opening 7
and a pair of leg openings 8 and 9, to form a pull-on or pant-like
article. As discussed in greater detail below, each of the side
panels 4 and 6 may be extendable (i.e., extensible and preferably
at least partially elastic, as defined above), to facilitate
placement and removal. The article 1 has a closed construction. The
closed construction is permanent in the sense that the side panels
4, 6 are intended to maintain the closed configuration prior to and
during use. As such, the article 1 is supplied, placed, and worn in
a closed configuration. The side panels 4, 6 may be frangible or
frangibly connected to the main portion so that the article 1 may
be opened during removal and/or preparation for disposal.
In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a
pull-on wearable article 20 may be selectively placed in both open
and closed configurations. The article 20 includes side panels 22,
24 that are releasably fastenable to a main portion 26, allowing
the side panels 22 and 24 to be opened and re-closed along either
or both of side attachment areas 28 and 30. While the embodiment of
FIGS. 2 and 3 show side panels 22, 24 releasably attachable to a
front of the main portion, they may alternatively or additionally
be releasably attachable to a rear of the main portion. The side
panels 22 and 24 may be extendable to facilitate pull-on
application and removal.
In this embodiment, the side attachment areas 28, 30 may be
fastened to the main portion 26 to create a closed configuration
defining waist and leg openings similar to the closed article 1
illustrated in FIG. 1. Additionally, the side attachment areas 28,
30 may be unfastened, such as the right side attachment area 30 as
illustrated in FIG. 3. When one or both of the side attachment
areas 28, 30 is unfastened so that the respective side panel 22, 24
is opened, the article 20 is said to be an open configuration. The
respective side panels 22, 24 of the article 20 may be either
separately attached to the main portion 26 or may be made
integrally with the main portion 26. The article 20 may be provided
to the user in either of the open or closed configurations. If
provided in the open configuration, the user or a caregiver may
place the article 20 in the closed configuration prior to placement
on the user. If provided in the closed configuration, the user or
caregiver may adjust the waist opening size by opening one or both
attachment areas 28, 30 and reattaching in a different position.
Even with such adjustment, the article 20 is preferably returned to
the closed configuration prior to placement on a user.
In a further alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, an
article 10 has side panels 14, 16 that may be opened or closed,
similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this
embodiment, the side panels 14, 16 include front panel portions 70,
72 and rear panel portions 74, 76. The front and rear panel
portions 70, 72, 74, 76 may be coupled to or extend continuously
from respective front and rear parts of the main portion 12. Each
side panel 14, 16 may be extendable to facilitate placement and
removal, and may be provided with a refastenability feature
allowing the side panels 14, 16 to be opened and re-closed along
either or both of side attachment areas 13, 15. One side panel 14,
16 may be less extendable or non-extendable. Furthermore, a portion
of one or both side panels 14, 16 may be more or less extendable
than a remainder of that side panel. The relative extendability of
the side panels or portions of a side panel are not limited to this
embodiment, but may be provided in other types of articles having
extendable side panels, including those described in connection
with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3.
When the side attachment areas 28, 30 are fastened to close the
side panels 14, 16 (as shown in FIG. 4), the article 10 has a
closed configuration defining a waist opening 17 and a pair of leg
openings 18, 19, to form a pull-on or pant-like article. Either or
both of the side panels 14, 16 may be opened (such as side panel 14
of FIG. 5) to place the article 20 in an open configuration.
Additional details of refastenable side panels, such as the side
panels described with respect to FIGS. 2-6, can be found in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,432,098 issued to Kline et al. on Aug. 13, 2002 entitled
"Absorbent Article Fastening Device."
Referring to FIG. 6, the article 10 is shown laid flat in the open
configuration. In this configuration, the article 10 may be
described with reference to a longitudinally extending axis 31 and
a laterally (or transversely) extending axis 33. Along the
longitudinal axis 31, the article 10 includes a front waist region
38 having a front edge 35, a rear waist region 40 having a rear
edge 37, and a crotch region 42 extending between the front and
rear waist regions 38, 40. The crotch region 42 is that portion of
the article 10 which, when the article 10 is worn, is generally
positioned between the legs of the user. While the regions 38, 40,
42 are illustrated as each comprising roughly one-third of the
overall longitudinal length of the article 10, the present
disclosure is not limited to this exemplary embodiment, as each
region may have any suitable length in relation to the overall
longitudinal length. Along the lateral direction, the main portion
12 of article 10 is bounded by a pair of longitudinal edges, left
edge 32 and right edge 34.
The waist regions 38, 40 may be provided with elastic gathering
features, padding features, containment features, or any other
features (including stretchable waistbands) typically provided in
the waist regions of disposable absorbent articles of this type, a
wide variety of which are known in the art. An example of such a
feature is shown in FIG. 6 as waist feature 41 (including front and
rear sections). As with the waist regions, the crotch region 42 may
be provided with any of the features typically provided on
disposable absorbent articles of this type. Examples of such
features typically employed in the art are leg elastics, barrier
containment structures (such as standing leg cuffs or barrier leg
cuffs), graphics, notches for fit or appearance, etc.
The main portion 12 of the article 10 typically comprises at least
a liquid pervious topsheet 50, a liquid impervious backsheet 52,
and at least a portion of an absorbent core 54 encased between the
topsheet 50 and the backsheet 52. For unitary absorbent articles,
this basic assembly comprises the main structure of the diaper with
other features added to form the main portion 26 and ultimately the
article 10 as a whole. While the topsheet 50, the backsheet 52, and
the absorbent core 54 may be assembled in a variety of well-known
configurations, preferred diaper configurations are described
generally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled "Contractible Side
Portions for Disposable Diaper" issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan.
14, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992;
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,145 entitled "Absorbent Article With Multiple
Zone Structural Elastic-Like Film Web Extensible Waist Feature"
issued to Roe et al. on Sep. 10, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,234
entitled "Disposable Pull-On Pant" issued to Buell et al. on Oct.
29, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,411 entitled "Zero Scrap Method For
Manufacturing Side Panels For Absorbent Articles" issued to Nease,
et al. on Dec. 3, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,306 entitled
"Absorbent Article With Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels"
issued to Robles et al. on Dec. 21, 1999.
The topsheet 50 is compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to
the user's skin. Further, the topsheet 50 is liquid pervious
permitting liquids (e.g., urine) to readily penetrate through its
thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from a wide
range of materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams;
apertured plastic films; apertured non-woven webs; or woven or
non-woven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers),
synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a
combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the
topsheet 50 is made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the user's
skin from liquids contained in the absorbent core 54 (i.e., prevent
"rewet"), unless the article is intended to provide at least a
partial wetness sensation to the user, as is desirable in certain
training pant articles.
The topsheet 50 may be fully or partially elasticized or may be
foreshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet 50
and the core 54. Exemplary structures including elasticized or
foreshortened topsheets are described in more detail in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,892,536 issued to DesMarais et al. on Jan. 9, 1990 entitled
"Absorbent Article Having Elastic Strands"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,147
issued to Freeland on Feb. 5, 1991 entitled "Absorbent Article With
Elastic Liner For Waste Material Isolation"; U.S. Pat. No.
5,037,416 issued to Allen et al. on Aug. 6, 1991 entitled
"Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elastically Extensible
Topsheet"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,775 issued to Freeland et al. on
Dec. 14, 1993 entitled "Trisection Topsheets For Disposable
Absorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such
Trisection Topsheets."
The absorbent core 54 may comprise any absorbent material that is
generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the user's
skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine
and other certain body exudates. The absorbent core 54 may comprise
a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in
disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as comminuted
wood pulp, which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of
other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose
wadding; melt blown polymers, including co-form; chemically
stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue,
including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;
absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling
materials; superabsorbent fibers; or any other known absorbent
material or combinations of materials.
Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent cores
(either single layer, or multi layer composite structures) are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled "High-Density
Absorbent Structures" issued to Weisman et al. on Sep. 9, 1986;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Articles With
Dual-Layered Cores" issued to Weisman et al. on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,834,735, entitled "High Density Absorbent Members Having
Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones", issued to
Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,231 entitled
"Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer" issued to Angstadt on Dec.
19, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537 entitled "Absorbent Structure
Containing Individualized, Polycarboxylic Acid Crosslinked Wood
Pulp Cellulose Fibers" which issued to Herron et al. on Aug. 11,
1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345 entitled "High Efficiency Absorbent
Articles For Incontinence Management" issued to Young et al. on
Sep. 15, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,338 entitled "Disposable
Absorbent Article For Low-Viscosity Fecal Material" issued to Roe
on Aug. 30, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,345 entitled "Absorbent Foam
Materials For Aqueous Body Fluids and Absorbent Articles Containing
Such Materials" issued to DesMarais et al. on Nov. 9, 1993; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,387,207 entitled "Thin-Until-Wet Absorbent Foam
Materials For Aqueous Body Fluids And Process For Making Same"
issued to Dyer et al. on Feb. 7, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,316
entitled "Slitted Absorbent Members For Aqueous Body Fluids Formed
Of Expandable Absorbent Materials" issued to LaVon et al. on Mar.
14, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,222 entitled "Absorbent Foam
Materials For Aqueous Fluids Made From High Internal Phase
Emulsions Having Very High Water-To-Oil Ratios" issued to DesMarais
et al. on Jul. 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporated
herein by reference.
The backsheet 52 is generally that portion of the article 10
positioned adjacent the outer facing surface of the absorbent core
54. Backsheet 52 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained
therein from soiling items that may contact the article 10, such as
bed sheets and undergarments. In preferred embodiments, the
backsheet 52 is substantially impervious to liquids (e.g., urine)
and comprises a laminate of a non-woven and a thin plastic film
such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm
(0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Suitable backsheet films
include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre
Haute, Ind. and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962, and
X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable
materials that permit vapors to escape from the article 10 while
still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 54.
Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven
webs, non-woven webs, composite materials such as film-coated
non-woven webs, and microporous films such as manufactured by
Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by
Tredegar Industries under the designation EXAIRE. Suitable
breathable composite materials comprising polymer blends are
available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under the name
HYTREL blend P18-3097. Such breathable composite materials are
described in greater detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746,
published on Jun. 22, 1995 in the name of E.I. DuPont and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/744,487, filed on Nov. 6, 1996 in
the name of Curro. Other breathable backsheets including non-woven
webs and apertured formed films are described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,571,096 issued to Dobrin et al. on Nov. 5, 1996. Each of these
references is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Backsheet 52 may also consist of more than one layer. For example,
a backsheet outer layer (often referred to simply as the backsheet)
may be made of a soft, non-woven material and a backsheet inner
layer may be made of a substantially impermeable film.
Alternatively, the backsheet may simply comprise one or more liquid
permeable layers, in which case it may be preferable to include an
additional, substantially impermeable layer between the absorbent
core 54 and the backsheet 52 to provide containment. Examples of
such a layer include substantially impermeable films, a wax layer
(i.e., a wax coating applied to the absorbent core 54 or an element
thereof), or other suitable material, further examples of which are
described in U.S. Published Application No. US2003/0065298 entitled
"Absorbent Barrier Structures Having a High Convective Air Flow
Rate and Articles Made Therefrom" to Krishnaswamy-Mirle et al.,
published on Apr. 3, 2003.
Even if not referred to as the backsheet, pant like articles
desirably have an outer cover layer of soft material. This layer
may extend beyond the edges of the main portion 12 (e.g. it may
also extend into and cover the side panels) or it may be
coterminous with other layers of the main portion 12. If the
backsheet 52 consists of multiple layers, the layers may be
coterminous with each other or may have different dimensions.
Adhesive, or any other suitable material or method, may be used to
join backsheet layers together. While a variety of backsheet
configurations are contemplated herein, it would be obvious to
those skilled in the art that various other changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
The article 10 may also include such other features as are known in
the art including cuffs, waist cap features, elastics and the like
to provide better fit, containment and aesthetic characteristics.
Such additional features are well known in the art and are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003; and U.S. Pat. No.
5,151,092.
For example, article 10 may include barrier cuffs 60 which provide
improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Barrier
cuffs 60 may also be referred to as barrier leg cuffs, inner leg
cuffs, containment flaps, or "stand-up" elasticized flaps. U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. on Feb. 28,
1989 and Mar. 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposable diapers
having "stand-up" elasticized flaps that improve the containment of
the leg regions.
Additionally, article 10 may include gasketing cuffs 62 which also
provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates.
Gasketing cuffs 62 may also be referred to as outer leg cuff, leg
bands, side flaps, leg cuffs or elastic cuffs. U.S. Pat. No.
3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper which provides a
contractible leg opening having a side flap and one or more elastic
members to provide an elasticized leg cuff.
Barrier cuff 60 and gasketing cuff 62 may both be provided by way
of a dual cuff, as exampled in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and
4,795,454 issued to Lawson on Sep. 22, 1987 and to Dragoo on Jan.
3, 1989, respectively. Any of the elastic materials known in the
art typically employed in such cuff structures are suitable for use
in articles of the present invention is cuff structures are
employed. Cuffs may be joined to the main portion 26 using any
suitable means known in the art.
As previously noted, the side panels may be integral with the main
portion 12 (that is they may be continuous extensions of one or
more of the layers of the main portion 12) or they may be
separately attached to the main portion 12 (such as a completely
separate elastic laminate attached to a peripheral part of the main
portion). Alternatively, the side panels may be made of multiple
components or layers, some of which are discrete (either attached
separately to the main portion or separated therefrom by a gap) and
some of which are continuous. An example of this type of
construction is an article provided with an outer non-woven cover
which completely covers all areas of the article 10 including the
side panels 14 and 16 and the main portion 12, such as the article
disclosed in U.S. Published Application No. US2003/0065298.
The side panels 14 and 16 together with the main portion 12 form
the pull-on article 10 having a waist opening 17 and a pair of leg
openings 18 and 19, when said pull-on article is in a closed
configuration. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the side
panels 14, 16 have separate front panel portions 70, 72, and rear
panel portions 74, 76. The front and rear panel portions 70, 72,
74, 76 may comprise extensions of the front and rear waist regions,
respectively, of the main portion 12, or may comprise separate
components that are coupled to the front and rear waist regions.
Adjacent edge regions of a respective pair of front and rear panel
portions may be releasably fastenable as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and
5, or may be permanently joined to form a seam, as discussed in
greater detail below with reference to FIG. 10. Consistent with its
use above, the term "permanent" indicates that the edge regions are
sufficiently joined to maintain connection prior to and during use,
however at least one edge region may be frangible or the edge
regions may be frangibly connected to facilitate removal and/or
disposal. Alternatively, the front and rear panel portions may
simply be different parts of a unitary side panel, as illustrated
in FIG. 1 that is provided as a separate component or as an
extension of either the front or rear waist region of the main
portion 12.
Returning to FIG. 6, the front panel portions 70, 72 are disposed
generally transversely outward from said longitudinal edges 32 and
34 of said main portion 12 at or near the front waist region 38.
Similarly the rear panel portions 74 and 76 are disposed generally
transversely outward from said longitudinal edges 32 and 34 of said
main portion 12 at or near the rear waist region 40. In this manner
the respective waist regions together with the panel portions (both
front and rear) form a complete waist opening when the front and
rear waist portions are joined. Similarly, the main portion 12 and
the side panels in combination also form leg openings 18 and 19 in
a similar manner.
Preferably, the side panels 14 and 16 may be extensible or more
preferably elastic. The side panels 14, 16 may be provided in a
variety of forms. For example, each side panel may be formed as a
zero strain stretch laminate, which includes at least a layer of
non-woven material and an elastomeric element. The elastomeric
element is attached to the layer of non-woven material while in a
relaxed or substantially relaxed state, and the resulting laminate
is made stretchable (or more stretchable over a further range) by
subjecting the laminate to an activation process which elongates
the non-woven layer permanently, but the elastomeric element
temporarily. Alternatively or additionally, the activation process
may disrupt or otherwise break bonds within the non-woven layer
such that the disrupted non-woven layer does not substantially
impede elongation of the elastomeric element. The non-woven layer
may be integral with at least a portion of the backsheet of the
main portion, in which case the elastomeric element may be attached
to the non-woven layer and the non-woven/elastomeric element
laminate is subsequently activated. Alternatively, the non-woven
layer may be a separate component, in which case the elastomeric
element is attached to the non-woven layer to form the laminate,
which is then coupled to the main portion. If one or more layers of
the side panel are provided separately, the laminate may be
activated either before or after attachment to the main portion.
Still further, a zero strain laminate may comprise a stretchable
material, such as an extensible or at least partially elastic
non-woven material, attached to an elastomeric element. When a
stretchable material is used, activation may not be necessary to
obtain at least a partially extensible laminate.
Alternatively, each side panel may comprise a pre-stretch laminate
including at least an elastomeric element coupled to a layer of
non-woven material when the elastomeric element is in a stretched
or extended state. The elastomeric element may be subject to an
elongation process to place it in the extended state. After
attachment to the non-woven layer, the elastomeric element is
subsequently relaxed thereby gathering the non-woven layer. As with
the zero strain stretch laminate, the non-woven layer of the
pre-stretch laminate may be integral with the backsheet, in which
case the elastomeric element is activated by stretching, coupled to
the desired portions of the back sheet, and relaxed. Alternatively,
the non-woven layer may be a separate component, in which case the
elastomeric element may be elongated and attached to the non-woven
layer either before or after the non-woven layer is coupled to the
main portion.
The elastomeric element may be provided as any material and in any
form known in the art for providing extensible or elastic side
panels. For example, the elastomeric element may be an elastic
film, scrim, foam, strands, printed elastomer patterns (such as the
patterned elastomers disclosed in U.S. Published Application No.
US2004/0193113 to Desai et al. published on Sep. 30, 2004 and
entitled "Variable Stretch Composites and Methods of Making the
Composite"), or the like. The elastomeric element may also comprise
a laminate, such as a separately formed pre-stretch laminate as
described above that is applied to a non-woven layer of the outer
cover (or other non-woven layer) in a zero-strain manner and
subsequently activated.
Any suitable activation processes may be used to form the zero
strain or pre-stretch laminate. Mechanical processing, such as
advancing the laminate through rollers, engaging teeth, or the
like, may be used. Examples of zero strain activation processing
and formations of resulting stretchable laminates are described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,897 issued to Weber et al. and U.S. Pat. No.
5,156,793 issued to Buell et al.
It will be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art that
the overall dimensions of the pull-on article may vary depending on
the intended size and age range of the user. For example, it may be
desirable to provide pull-on articles of the present invention in a
variety of sizes to accommodate various toddler stages of
development and to provide such products with features
corresponding to one or more of such stages. The size of the side
panels may vary and suitable sizes might range from about 2 cm to
about 15 cm in length (in the longitudinal direction) and from
about 12.7 cm to about 381 cm (measured in the transverse
direction).
As best shown with reference to FIG. 6, the article 10 defines side
regions encompassing a side panel and adjacent sections of the main
portion 12. The exemplary embodiment includes two side regions 100,
102. Side region 100 includes side panel 14 (including front and
rear panel portions 70, 74) and transverse regions 104, 106 of the
main portion 26. Similarly, side region 102 includes side panel 16
(including front and rear panel portions 72, 76) and transverse
regions 108, 110 of the main portion 12.
An informational image 120 is disposed on at least one of the side
regions 100, 102 to communicate information relating to the pull-up
article 10 to a user. The informational image 120 is selected to
communicate information regarding the use of article 10 to a user.
The information may relate to a characteristic or feature of the
article 10, or may provide instructional or descriptive information
regarding the use of article 10.
As used herein, the term "communicate" refers to the ability of the
informational image to impress an idea or message upon, or trigger
a cognitive response within, a user. As such, communication may
rely upon a user's experience or knowledge to arrive at the
intended message. Additionally or alternatively, the image
preferably illustrates simple concepts that are understood at a
basic or visceral level that does not require the prior knowledge
or experience of a user. In any event, the image is preferably
cognitively functional in that it conveys a message, preferably
related to an action or decision to be made, that is generally
capable of being understood by a recipient user.
As used herein, the phrase "disposed on" is used to mean that the
informational image 120 is applied to, formed on, or otherwise
provided with the pull-on article 10. For example, the
informational image 120 may be printed directly on the article 10
or an element thereof, or printed on a separate substrate, such as
an auxiliary layer of material 122 that is affixed or otherwise
joined to the article 10 (either before or after activation), as
illustrated in FIG. 7. The auxiliary layer 122 may be formed of
non-woven, film, laminate, or other material. The informational
image 120 may be applied using any known method, including
printing. As used herein, the term "print" includes all printing
methods as known in the art, including, but not limited to,
digital, ink jet, gravure, screen, and other forms of printing.
Regardless of the printing method, the resulting printed image is
preferably sufficiently dry and water steadfast to resist transfer
in response to dry insults (e.g., abrasion due to contact with
outer clothing) and to resist transfer, run, or bleeding in
response to contact with liquids (such as water, urine, or
drinks).
In certain situations, it may be preferable to provide an image
that is legible or more legible when the side panels are in the
relaxed state. An example of such a situation is when a child is
asked to perform all or a portion of the pull-on article placement.
To the extent any assistance is provided, the caregiver will often
help only to place a child's feet through the leg openings of the
article (i.e., thread the legs through the article). Accordingly,
when first confronted with the task of pulling up the article, the
article is at the child's ankles or knees. In the ankle, knee, or
other position below the hips and buttocks, the side panels are in
a relaxed or substantially relaxed state. For example, the side
panels rarely exceed 40% extension, are typically at 0-20%
extension, and are often at 0-10% extension when the article is
positioned below the hips and buttocks. Conversely, once the
article is in place about the waist, the child may no longer need
to grasp the article and/or apply a pulling force, and thus may not
need to view the article or any image disposed thereon, and image
legibility and visibility is less important. For this type of
situation, therefore, the informational image 120 is preferably
readily observable when the side panels are substantially in the
relaxed state.
In other situations, it may be preferable to provide an image that
is legible or more legible when the side panels are in the extended
states. For example, the caregiver may apply the product to the
user's hips or waist and ask the child to complete the application
process, such as by pulling completely up to the waist, adjusting
the fit, etc. In these circumstances, the side panels will be in a
highly or substantially extended state. Accordingly, the
informational image is preferably legible or more legible when the
side panels are in the extended state to provide information to the
user at the appropriate point of the application process.
If image legibility in the relaxed state is a concern, the
informational image may be disposed on the side panel with the side
panel in the relaxed or substantially relaxed state. Examples of
informational images that are legible or more legible in the
relaxed state are illustrated in FIGS. 15-17.
FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate one example where an image 111 is
disposed on an outer layer of non-woven material 112 of a zero
stretch laminate in the relaxed and extended states, respectively.
The image 111 is distinct, clear, and continuous (and hence
legible) when the non-woven layer 112 is in the relaxed state (FIG.
15A). With the non-woven layer 112 stretched in the extended state,
discontinuities interrupt the image, making it less legible.
Another example is illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, where an image
113 is shown on an elastomeric film layer 114 in the relaxed and
extended states, respectively. When the layer 114 is in the relaxed
state (FIG. 16A), the image 113 is more clear and distinct,
provides greater contrast with the background color, and is less
distorted, thereby providing a legible image. When the layer 114 is
in the extended state shown in FIG. 16B, the image 113 has a
lighter, less definite, and more distorted appearance.
A further example is shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, which illustrate
an image 115 disposed on an outer layer of a pre-stretch laminate
116. With the laminate 116 in the relaxed state (FIG. 17A), the
image 115 again is more clear, defined, and continuous, whereas the
image 115 is discontinuous and more difficult to comprehend when
the laminate is in the extended state illustrated in FIG. 17B.
In each of the foregoing examples, the informational image may be
applied with the side panel in either the relaxed state (either
before or after activation) or in the extended state. If the side
panel is in the relaxed state, the image is applied as an
undistorted image that substantially corresponds to the image as it
is intended to be viewed by a user, such as the images shown in
FIGS. 15A, 16A, and 17A. If the image is applied with the side
panel in the extended state, the image is applied as a distorted
image, such as those shown in FIGS. 15B, 16B, and 17B, so that the
image is undistorted and enhanced when the side panel is
subsequently relaxed.
It will be appreciated, however, that the informational image may
be legible or more legible in the extended state without departing
from the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, an undistorted
image may be applied while the side panel is in the extended state
or a distorted image may be applied while the side panel is in the
relaxed state.
The informational images disclosed herein are particularly suited
for pull-on articles intended for use by children. Accordingly, the
exemplary images illustrated herein are cognitively functional to a
pre-literate child. The informational images preferably use
symbols, graphics, or other markings other than words as the
primary form of communication, so that a pre-literate child may
comprehend and follow the instructions or other information
indicated by the image.
As used herein, the terms "pre-literate" and "incapable of reading"
are used interchangeably to mean the inability of a child to
correctly understand, comprehend and follow prompts written in a
language that the child can speak without assistance of a
caregiver. The ability of a child to recognize letters and/or read
one or two isolated words still means that the child is "incapable
of reading" since he or she is unable to understand, comprehend and
follow such written prompts, without assistance. However, this
definition of "incapable of reading" does not exclude the child
from being able to understand, comprehend and follow visual prompts
which are presented in the form of drawings, icons, symbols,
gestures, cartoons and the like. Furthermore, while the disclosed
embodiments are capable of being understood by a pre-literate
child, it is not necessary for the images to be understood at this
level.
The image may be in the form of any visual representation suitable
for communicating information regarding the use of article 10 to a
user. Accordingly, the image may include one or more icons, which
may comprise, but are not limited to, pictorial symbols,
photographs, drawings, cartoons, and logos. For example, the icons
may be provided as drawings of a child or an anthropomorphic image
of an animal using the pull-on article 10. Similarly, the icons may
include well-known cartoon characters or brand logos, or characters
specifically created to be associated with the article. The icons
may further include symbols, such as arrows, to indicate motion,
movement, or directionality.
The informational image may be arranged in any manner as long as it
communicates the desired information to a user. The image may be a
single icon or a series of icons. If a series of icons is provided,
each icon may be the same or different. Different icons may be
complementary to one another, in that they are related to the same
concept or activity (such as open and closed hands), or incorporate
a common visual element (such as a similar appearance, color, or
theme). The icons may be arranged in any suitable fashion, such as,
but not limited to, vertically, horizontally, diagonally, circular,
arcs, and combinations thereof.
The informational image may optionally include a character graphic
that can increase a user's interest in the product. The term
"character graphic" is used herein to refer to a graphic containing
an anthropomorphic image, and in particular an image having or
suggesting human form or appearance which ascribes human
motivations, characteristics or behavior to inanimate objects,
animals, natural phenomena, toys, cartoon characters, or the like.
The character graphic may be associated with popular characters in
the media, advertising or well known in a particular culture.
Ideally they are characters that the user, particularly if a child,
cares about and want to identify with.
In the illustrated embodiments, the informational image 120
communicates a location in which to grip the article 10 as it is
pulled into place on a user. In an article having extensible side
panels, forces are more effectively transferred from radial side
locations to the front and back regions than from the front of the
article. Accordingly, the informational image 120 is located in a
side region 100 or 102 of the article 102, which include these
radial side locations. It is preferable to pull the diaper at both
side regions, and therefore informational images 120 may be
provided in both side regions, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Furthermore, it is preferable to grip the article near an upper
edge, and therefore the images 120 may be positioned in an upper
portion of each side panel. While the images may be different, they
are preferably substantially similar. As used herein,
"substantially similar images" include identical images, mirror
images, images incorporating common visual elements, the same or
similar image shapes having different colors, inverted foreground
and background images (i.e., the same or similar image in positive
and negative), the same or similar image in both solid and outline,
and the like.
In an exemplary embodiment of a cognitively functional graphic, the
informational image 120 is provided as a hand graphic to
communicate to a user that the article is to be grasped in the
location of the image. As used herein, the phrase "hand graphic"
refers to an image formed to resemble a hand, a hand with a portion
of an arm or body, or one or more portions thereof, such as a palm,
one or more fingers, one or more fingertips, and the like. The hand
may resemble a human, animal, anthropomorphic, cartoon character,
mythical creature, or other style. Furthermore, the hand image is
not limited to including five fingers (i.e., four fingers and a
thumb). When intended for use by children, the image 120 may have
any size, but is preferably sized to generally correspond to the
size of a child's hand or a portion thereof. Accordingly, the image
preferably has a lateral dimension of approximately 1 to
approximately 10 centimeters and a longitudinal dimension of
approximately 1 to approximately 5 centimeters. In an exemplary
embodiment, the image may have a lateral dimension of approximately
6 centimeters and a longitudinal dimension of approximately 3
centimeters.
Graphics other than the image of a hand may be used to attract a
user's attention and indicate a gripping location. When the article
is intended for use by a child, it may carry images of a cookie or
other foods, a spoon, a doorknob, a handle, or other object
commonly grasped by a child. Alternatively, the indicia may include
images of stars, balloons, or other items easily recognized by a
child, or patterns and decorative designs that would attract a
child's attention.
While the informational images 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 are
positioned entirely within a respective side panel, the images may
be located at other positions within the side regions 100, 102. For
example, part of the image may be located on a side panel while
another part may be located on an adjacent transverse region of the
main portion, as with informational image 130 illustrated in FIG.
8. While image 130 is shown positioned near a front waist region,
it will be appreciated that the image 130 may be similarly
positioned near the rear waist region.
In addition, the image may be located entirely within a front or
rear transverse region of the main portion, as with information
image 132 illustrated in FIG. 9. The transverse regions are located
adjacent to the side panels so that, when an image is provided
entirely within a transverse region, it still indicates a more
desirable pulling location than the center of the main portion.
While a continuous, unitary side panel is illustrated in FIG. 1,
the side panel may be formed of separate panel portions as
illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. Accordingly, the image may be located
entirely within a particular side panel portion, span adjacent
joined side panel portions, or span a side panel portion and a
transverse region of the main portion.
The side panel or the main portion may include a projection, such
as a lateral projection, on which at least a portion of the
informational image is disposed. As illustrated in FIG. 18, an
article 200 includes a main portion 202 and a side panel 204. The
main portion 202 includes a projection 206 extending into the side
panel area. An informational image 208 is disposed on at least a
portion of the projection 206. The main portion 202 may comprise a
plurality of layers of material, and the projection 206 may
comprise one or more of those layers. For example, the main portion
202 may comprise a film layer that forms the projection 206. In the
alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, an article 210
includes a main portion 212 and a side panel 214. The side panel
214 includes a projection 216 extending into the transverse region
of the main portion 212, and an informational image 218 is disposed
on at least a portion of the projection 216. The side panel 214 may
comprise a plurality of material layers, and the projection 216 may
comprise one or more of those layers.
Whether the side panel is unitary or formed of separate panel
portions, seams may be formed over which the image may be applied.
Seams are formed when adjacent edges of material are bonded
together over at least a portion of the adjacent edges of material
to permanently join the materials. The attachment of the panel
portions is permanent in the sense that the panel portions are
intended to maintain a joined relationship prior to and during use.
The panel portions may, however, be frangible or frangibly
connected to facilitate removal and/or disposal of the article. In
an article having unitary side panels, seams may be formed where
the side panel joins the front and rear waist regions. Similarly, a
seam may be formed between separate side panel portions that are
joined together. The informational image may be formed over any
seam formed in the side regions. For example, the panel portions
may be joined to form a seam 133, and the image may span the seam,
as illustrated in FIG. 10 by informational item 134.
FIG. 20 illustrates an informational image 300 spanning a seam of
an article 302. The article 302 includes a side panel 304 including
a front panel portion 306 and a rear panel portion 308. The front
and rear panel portions 306, 308 may be joined, such as by bonding,
to form a seam, however FIG. 20 shows the panel portions prior to
being joined. The informational image 300 is disposed on the side
panel 304 and includes a front image portion 310 and a rear image
portion 312. In the illustrated embodiment, the front image portion
310 includes a background graphic 314 and a hand graphic 316, while
the rear image portion includes a background graphic 318. When
joined together, a peripheral region of the front panel portion 306
overlies a peripheral region of the rear panel portion. In this
embodiment, the hand graphic 316 is disposed entirely on the front
panel portion 306, so that the subsequently formed seam does not
disrupt the image. The hand graphic 316 may, alternatively, be
positioned entirely on the rear panel portion 308, or may have
portions disposed on both the front and rear panel portions 306,
308.
FIG. 21 illustrates an informational image 330 similar to that
shown in FIG. 20, but with a slight variation. Specifically, the
informational image 330 includes a front image portion 332
including a background graphic 334 and a hand graphic 336 and a
rear image portion 338 including a background graphic 340. The
background graphics 334, 340 include curved or contoured lower
borders 342, 344 near the lateral edges of the front and rear panel
portions 306, 308. Since the image portions 332, 334 may be applied
with the article in a flat configuration prior to joining the side
panel portions 306, 308, there is a possibility that the image
portions 332, 334 may not precisely align with one another. The
curved lower borders 342, 344 make any such misalignment less
readily visible, thereby allowing for greater tolerances for
longitudinal tracking between side panel portions.
Rather than a single icon, the image may include a plurality or
series of icons in one or more of the side regions 14, 16. As
illustrated in FIG. 11, for example, each side panel defines an
upper edge and a lower edge with a longitudinal length extending
from the upper edge to the lower edge. The informational image 140
extends substantially across the longitudinal length of the side
panel. In the exemplary embodiment, the informational image 140
includes a repeating pattern of hand icons 142. Whether a single or
multiple icons are provided, the image is preferably registered so
that it is located in substantially the same location on each
article, however non-registered images are suitable in certain
alternate embodiments.
The informational image 120 is preferably viewable from an exterior
of the article, and therefore the informational image is preferably
disposed on an outer or garment-facing layer of the article or an
element thereof. In most cases, the image is disposed on an
exterior layer of the article, such as the outer surface of the
backsheet, or an auxiliary layer that is coupled to an exterior
layer of the article. Alternatively, the informational image may be
disposed on an interior layer and is viewable through one or more
transparent or translucent outer layers. In certain alternate
embodiments, the image may be viewable from the interior of the
article such as by printing on an interior surface or on a layer
that is visible from an interior of the article. Accordingly, the
informational image may be disposed such that is viewable from an
exterior only, from both an exterior and an interior, or from an
interior only of the article.
In accordance with additional aspects of this disclosure, a pull-on
wearable article may be provided having an informational image
incorporating a texture feature. The texture feature is positioned
sufficiently proximate the informational image so that the texture
feature is associated with the informational image, thereby to form
a composite image. As used herein, the term "proximate" includes
coincident with, partially coincident with, adjacent to, or in the
vicinity of one another.
The texture feature imparts a unique visual appearance to the
image, such as by forming layers, regions of relative smoothness or
roughness, varying reflectivity, color enhancements, or other
visual effect. The texture feature may increase the legibility of
the image in poor lighting conditions or at viewing angles
deviating significantly from the perpendicular. Additionally or
alternatively, the texture feature may enhance at least a portion
of the informational image or may form a separate portion of the
informational image. For example, the informational image may form
a part of a hand image, such as a palm, while the texture feature
forms another part of the hand image, such as fingers or finger
pads, so that the combination of the informational image and the
texture feature form a composite image. Alternatively, the
informational image may form a complete hand image while the
texture feature is applied to part or the entire hand image to form
the composite image. The combination of the informational image and
texture feature may be provided on any known type of pull-on
wearable article having extensible side panels, without regard to
the type, or method of construction of the side panels, and
regardless of the state (i.e., extended or relaxed) in which the
informational image is more legible, if any.
In one exemplary embodiment, the texture feature may include
localized projections formed in an outer surface of the article.
FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an
article carrying an informational image. The article at this
portion includes an outer layer 150 of non-woven material, an inner
layer 152 of non-woven material, and an elastomeric element 154
disposed between the outer and inner layers 150, 152. The outer
layer 150 is formed with localized projections 156 defining
recesses 158 therebetween. The projections 156 may be formed by
embossing or other processes that raise portions of at least the
outer layer.
In an alternative embodiment, the texture feature may include
localized recesses formed in the outer surface of the article. FIG.
13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an article
having an outer layer 160 of non-woven material, an inner layer 162
of non-woven material, and an elastomeric element 164 disposed
between the outer and inner layers 160, 162. The outer layer 160 is
formed with localized recesses 166 defining projections 168
therebetween. The recesses may be formed in any known manner,
including application of a bond pattern between the outer layer 160
and either the inner layer 162 or elastomeric element 164. The bond
pattern secures discrete locations of the outer layer 160 to one of
the other interior layers to form an associated recess 166.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the texture feature may be
formed by adjacent layers of material. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a
portion of a pull-on article includes an outer layer 170 of
non-woven material, an inner layer 172 of non-woven material, and
an elastomeric element 174 disposed between the outer and inner
layers 170, 172. The outer layer 170 is formed with slits, slots,
holes, or other regular or irregular apertures or openings 176 to
expose portions of the elastomeric element 174. Accordingly, it
will be appreciated that the exterior surface of the article, at
least in this location, is formed by both the outer layer 170 and
the exposed portions of the elastomeric layer 174. The outer layer
170 has a thickness sufficient to create a varying exterior surface
appearance.
While the exemplary embodiments of texture features disclosed
herein identified specific layers and types of material, it will be
appreciated that other combinations and types of material layers
may be used. Furthermore, while specific processes for forming the
texture feature are suggested, any type of known process for
forming the features may be used. While the texture feature is
preferably formed by a mechanical treatment (such as embossing,
ring-rolling, bonding, scoring, puncturing, or slitting), it may
also be formed by non-mechanical treatments such as laser, hot air,
chemical, or other processes.
Each of the mechanical treatments may result in particular types of
texture effects. Embossing may be performed either hot or cold,
with either a smooth or a patterned roll, and may result in
projections, recesses, areas of relative smoothness, areas of
compression (and associated compression resistance), or
combinations thereof. Ringrolling may result in openings,
projections, recesses, or combinations thereof. Methods for forming
structural elastic-like film (SELF) may be employed, such as those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,143 issued to Roe et al. on Sep.
10, 1996 entitled "Absorbent Article with Multiple Zone Structural
Elastic-Like Film Web Extensible Waist Feature" and U.S. Pat. No.
5,518,801 issued to Chappell et al. on May 21, 1996 entitled "Web
Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior," and may result in
projections, recesses, or combinations thereof. Scoring may cause
surface morphology such as areas of relative roughness or
fuzziness. Puncturing may cause openings at least partially
surrounded by three-dimensional projections.
The texture effect may further be influenced or at least partially
formed by the elastomeric layer. For example, an elastomeric
element having a discontinuous surface, such as the vacuum formed
elastomer disclosed in U.S. Published Application No.
US2003/0120240 to Buell et al. published on Jun. 26, 2003 and
entitled "Disposable Pant-Type Diaper Having Improved Protection
Against Red Marking," may be provided against which the outer cover
at least partially conforms, to form a layered outer surface.
Still further, the texture feature may be formed by locally
contracting discrete regions of the article. This may be
accomplished by a mechanical process or by another process such as
heat shrinking.
While the foregoing illustrated embodiments describe the
informational image as conveying a location in which to grasp and
pull the article, it will be appreciated that the image may include
a cognitively functional graphic that conveys any instructional,
informational, or other message to a user. In addition or as an
alternative to assisting in pulling up or down the article, the
informational image may communicate information regarding opening
or closing refastenable side panels, folding and/or handling of
used diapers during disposal, or other instructions. The
informational image may also communicate characteristics or
properties of the article, such as gender appropriateness,
suitability for toilet training, or other training specific
information (e.g. indicating incorporation of a feel wet liner).
Still further, the informational image may communicate information
about the user, such as growth (by conveying changes in size of the
article). An informational image including a cognitively functional
graphic may be provided on any known type of pull-on wearable
article having extensible side panels, without regard to the state
of the side panels (i.e., extended or relaxed) in which the
informational image is more visible, if any.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention
are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the
citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the
extent that any definition or meaning of a term in this written
document conflicts with any definition or meaning of the term in a
document incorporated by reference, the definition or meaning
assigned to the term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in
the art that various other changes and modifications can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is
therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes
and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
* * * * *